Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1887-07-22
TUE President.
He Takes Part in Centennial Celebration and
Tells What President Should BE.

rGE - { - 5 s. 5 . Il
At centennial celebration at Clinton,
New York, on tho 18th, which Was attend
ed by vast crowd, the speeches occupied
over tw o hours, and with the exception OF
that by President Cleveland, were chiefly
by persons OF local fame connected py
blood with the early settlers OF this place.
am inclined to content myself on this
occasion with an acknowledgment on be.
half OF the people OF the United States OF
the compliment which you have paid to
the office which represents their sovereign
ty, but such an acknowledgement suggests
an idea which cannot refrain from dwell
ing upon for moment. That the Office
OF president OF United States does repre-
sent the sovereignty OF $4,000, 600 of peo-
pie is, to my mind, q statement full OF sol
emnity, for this sovereignty Iconceive to
be the working act Or enforcement of the
divine gift OF man to govern himself, and a
manifestation OF Gods plans concerning
the human race. Though the struggle oil
political parties to secure the incumbency
OF this office, and the questionable methods
may not be akin with this idea;
and though tho deceit practiced to mislead
the people in their choice and it's too fre-
quent influences on their suffrage may sur
prise us, these things should never lead US
astray in our estimate OF this exalted pos
ton and its value and dignity; and though
your fellow citizens, who may be- chosen to
perform for a time the duties of this high
place, should be badly selected and though
the best attainable results may not be at
tanned by his administration, yet the ex-
acting watchfulness OF the people, freed
from the disturbing turmoil of political OK
element, ought to prevent mischance to
the Office which represents their sovereign
ty, and should reduce to a minimum the
danger OF harm to the state. I by no
means underestimate the Importance OF
the.
UTMOST CARE AND CIRCUMsPECT1ON
in selection OF the incumbent. On the con
trary, believe there is no obligation
citizenship that demands more thought
and conscientious deliberat ton than this;
but am speaking OF the citizens duty to
the office and its selected incumbent. This
duty is only performed when, in the inter-
est OF the entire people, the full exercise OF
the powers OF chief magistracy in insisted
on, and when for the peoples safety a. due
regard for the limitations placed upon the
office is exactel. These things should be
enforced by the manifestation of a calm
and enlightened public opinion. But this
should not be stimulated by the mad
clamor OF disappointed interest, which
without regard for the general good or al
lowance for the exercise of official
iudgm ents, would degrade the
Office by forcing compliance with
selfish demands. If your president should
not be OF the people and one OF your fellow
citizens he would be utterly unfit for the
position, incapable OF understanding the
people wants, and careless OF their desires.
That he is one OF the people implies
that he is subject to human frailty and
error but he should be permitted to claim
but little federation for mistakes. The
generosity OF his fellow citizens shout d
alone decree how far good intentions should
excuse his shortcomings. Watch well,
then, this high office, the most precious
possession of American citizenship. De-
mand for it the most complete devotion
on the part OF him to whose custody it
may be entrusted, and protect it not less
vigiIantly from unworthy assaults from
without. Thus will you perform a sacred
duty to yourselves and to those who. may
follow you in the enjoyment OF the freest
institutions which heaven has ever vouch.
sailed to man.